Classifying the Cure
This acronym stands for a class of drugs designed to interrupt the inflammatory cascade and slow autoimmune disease progression at its source.
DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs)
This cornerstone csDMARD is typically dosed only once per week when treating rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
methotrexate
Monoclonal antibodies in the biologic DMARD class can often be identified by this naming suffix.
"-mab"
Unlike biologics which are typically injected, targeted synthetic DMARDs are commonly available in this administration format.
oral preparations (pills)
This defining adverse effect of hydroxychloroquine is irreversible, making early screening essential for patients on long-term therapy.
retinopathy
Unlike steroids and NSAIDs, DMARDs are unique because they do not commonly provide this for immediate symptom relief.
pain relief
This drug, derived from a modification of chloroquine, was developed to reduce toxicity while maintaining effectiveness for lupus and RA.
hydroxychloroquine
This fully human monoclonal antibody, also known as Humira, is used to treat conditions ranging from Crohn’s disease to uveitis.
adalimumab
JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib and upadacitinib can be identified by this specific suffix, reflecting their role as kinase inhibitors.
-nib
Because it affects neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, this drug carries a serious risk of suicidal ideation.
apremilast
These are the three main categories used to organize DMARD classification.
Conventional synthetic (csDMARDs),
biologic
targeted synthetic (tsDMARDs)
Methotrexate functions as a structural analogue to this vitamin, preventing cells from synthesizing DNA and RNA.
folic acid
TNF inhibitors like adalimumab and infliximab carry Black Box Warnings for malignancy and these specific types of infections.
opportunistic infections (e.g., tuberculosis and fungal disease)
Tofacitinib works by inhibiting this phosphorylation process, which prevents pro-inflammatory messages from reaching the cell nucleus.
Janus kinase (JAK) phosphorylation
This CS DMARD can cause a reversible ocular condition known as vortex keratopathy.
hydroxychloroquine
Biologic DMARDs differ from synthetic ones because they are large protein-based agents generated from these.
living cells
This family of antibiotics is known to reduce the renal elimination of methotrexate, potentially leading to toxic accumulation.
penicillin
Unlike monoclonal antibodies, receptor fusion proteins used as biologics typically end in this suffix.
cept
This drug is a PDE-4 inhibitor that increases intracellular cAMP levels to suppress inflammation.
apremilast (Otezla)
Patients with a history of this viral infection must be cautious when taking JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib due to the risk of reactivation.
herpes zoster (shingles)
This specific class of DMARD is characterized by small, chemically synthesized molecules that exert broad immunosuppressive effects
conventional synthetic DMARDs
Hydroxychloroquine has its historical roots as a treatment for this disease, originally derived from the bark of the cinchona tree.
malaria
This interleukin antagonist selectively binds to IL-23 and is often used to treat plaque psoriasis.
risankizumab (skyrizi)
A recent study noted that oral supplements of this root reduced neutrophil PDE activity by 40%, similar to synthetic inhibitors.
ginger
Combining methotrexate with this class of pain relievers can lead to fatal myelosuppression.
NSAIDs